Petaluma City Schools Privacy Procedures

This page outlines procedures for Petaluma City Schools’ staff to follow in order to protect the privacy of, and ensure due process for ALL of the students and families in our district, in accordance with Board policy, state and federal laws. These procedures should not reflect a change in practice, but are meant to clarify protocol based on existing laws and regulations.

Access to RecordsPersonally identifiable student or parent information is not provided to anyone, without the consent of a parent or guardian, except in the case of a health emergency. Requests made via subpoena or court order will be forwarded to the Superintendent’s Office at 200 Douglas Street, Petaluma, CA 94952 for review. If you are asked in the course of your duties to provide personal information to an outside agent or entity, you should immediately refer this request to your site principal. The principal will determine whether the outside entity or agent needs to be referred to the superintendent. If the principal is unavailable, refer any requests directly to the superintendent’s office.

Access to Students All persons and/or agencies (including, but not limited to Immigration Enforcement Officers or Agents) requesting access to students will be directed to the site principal. The principal will determine if the request must be forwarded to the Superintendent or designee. Agents who provide a subpoena, petition, complaint, court order, and/or warrant will be immediately referred to the Superintendent’s Office at 200 Douglas Street, Petaluma, CA 94952. Authenticity of any documents will be verified by the superintendent or designee. If the principal is unavailable, refer any requests directly to the superintendent’s office.

Enrollment EligibilityNo students will be denied enrollment or eligibility because of immigration status. Site principals will ensure compliance.

No Documents Containing Immigration StatusSchools should not collect or maintain documents or information that may be related to immigration status (passports, visas, social security numbers). Principals should work with school staff to ensure compliance. Documents containing this information should be shredded immediately.

Immigration Status InquiriesNo district personnel or after-school care provider should inquire to a student about his or her immigration status. Site principals will ensure compliance.

Parent/Guardian Notification of Unsolicited Inquiries Parents/Guardians will be made aware by the Superintendent or designee about any unsolicited communications made by outside agencies to the school and/or district that involve private student and/or parent information.

NON-DISCRIMINATION: Petaluma City Schools is committed to providing equal opportunity for all individuals in district programs and activities. District programs, activities, and practices shall be free from unlawful discrimination, including discrimination against an individual or group based on race, color, ancestry, nationality, national origin, immigration status, ethnic group identification, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, pregnancy, or parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or genetic information; a perception of one or more of such characteristics; or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

NON-DISCRIMINATION: Petaluma City Schools is committed to providing equal opportunity for all individuals in district programs and activities. District programs, activities, and practices shall be free from unlawful discrimination, including discrimination against an individual or group based on race, color, ancestry, nationality, national origin, immigration status, ethnic group identification, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, pregnancy, or parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or genetic information; a perception of one or more of such characteristics; or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.